Young Blood

It is essential that new work by young designers is actively encouraged. These people will become the lifeblood of our industry and must be given the opportunity to show their stuff. One installation I visited last week near Enfield, just north of London, was just so exciting. Sadly not on public view, the use of bold colours and sweeping curves throughout the rooms was breathtaking. While the style was reminiscent of the late 60’s and 70’s, it had a freshness which removed it from the excesses of those heady years. The designer made great use of burgundy and rich browns, adding highlights of stunning saffron and opulent shiny gold. Any emphasis on softness and discretion had gone. There was a real feel of the East about the place. The simplicity of the design disguised the considered thought which must have gone into every aspect of it. The blend of ceramics and wood, the skilful use of mirrors to accentuate wow points, and a strong mix of direct and indirect lighting, it all served to draw one into this magical creation. While comprehensive training is absolutely essential for these youngsters, really talented designers just have a natural feel for what goes. Viewing this standard of work is a pleasure and this recently completed project in leafy Enfield was inspiring.

A New Year, thank God

Happy New Year ! to everybody out there. Back to the daily grind after a slightly extended time off. 2012 at least has the promise of a bit of fun. The Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics & Paralympics should raise spirits even if only for a short period. They may even herald better things to come, and we need it after wading through the mire of 2011. I can only hope that the next 12 months will be as kind to you as you hope it will be. I’ll leave the rest up to you. Meanwhile, normal blogging service resumes . . . . .

Interiors designer Paul Bitton caught my eye again over the holiday. I was visting my doctor just after New Year and picked up a copy of the Jewish Chronicle in the waiting room to pass the time. Paul had been speaking to the paper about the future of bathrooms and while his ideas are not exclusive, his slant on things is refreshing. The article follows:

Bathrooms Flow Into Bedrooms

The dividing line between bedroom and bathroom has disappeared. The days of the old ensuite are numbered, says Paul Bitton at the British Bathroom Centre (BBC), with showrooms in West Hendon, Hampstead, Hampstead Garden Suburb and London’s West End.

The new ensuite is simply part of the extended bedroom. The doors and walls that separated bedrooms from their bathrooms are being eschewed in favour of open spaces. “The bathroom is no longer separate,” says Mr Bitton. “You can get up and walk straight into the shower, if that’s your thing. You can see everything in the bathroom. In fact, the bathroom has now become the focal point of the bedroom.

“It is taking open plan to a new level – even incorporating the dressing room. Now you can have a walk-in dressing room which might still have a door, but it will be in glass. There won’t be any wardrobes – it will be open-plan hanging and shelves, so it resembles a display in a shop. It all flows from bedroom to bathroom to dressing room.”

Mr Bitton’s BBC has been creating open-plan bed-bathrooms in hotels for some months and now the idea is coming home. One factor that drove this innovative approach to the use of space was the introduction of televisions to bathrooms.

Mr Bitton says: “You can now have a television in the shower. You can have any size television you want and it is made waterproof. Naturally the remote can also be made waterproof. “Some people actually spend a long time in the shower. I get all my ideas when I’m having a very hot shower, so it’s natural that people would want to watch their favourite programme or a sports event. With the open-plan room, you can also see the television from the bedroom. Security cameras can also be viewed while you’re in the shower. There is so much innovation.”

Although it is called the British Bathroom Centre, Mr Bitton allows his ideas to run into kitchens as well. Here, the remote control doesn’t just change the channels on the television – it opens drawers. “This is something for people who find it difficult to reach the top cupboards in a kitchen, or if your hands are dirty and you don’t want to get nasty marks on the drawers lower down. The remote control will open the doors for you – upwards at the top of the kitchen, so you don’t bang your head. Tiny computers are placed inside the drawers and these are activated by the remote, “ explained Mr Bitton.

–         Jewish Chronicle, 11 November 2011